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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 2008.09.18MEETING MINUTES Regular Meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, September 18, 2008 The regular meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Hesselgren at 7:00 pm at Burlingame City Hall, 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Hesselgren, Shanus, Castner-Paine, Carlton, La Mariana, Fisher Commissioners Absent: None Staff Present: Parks & Recreation Director Schwartz, Administrative Secretary Butler, Recreation Supervisor Mutto Others Present: Alifea Davis, 1075 Rollins Rd #207; John Eaton, 612 Concord Way; Dorothea & George Chrisman, 1608 Devereaux; Sarah O'Connor, 1556 Balboa Ave; Jeremy Dennis, 1616 Albemarle Way; Donna Colson, 2616 Hale Drive; Brian Firenze, 1240 Oak Grove; Chip Smith, 1557 Balboa Ave. MINUTES - The Minutes of the August 21, 2008 regular meeting were approved as submitted. PUBLIC COMMENTS — NONE OLD BUSINESS — A. Dogs Off -Leash at Washington & Cuernavaca Parks - Director Schwartz reported to the Commission that City Council heard the issue and adopted the ordinance to allow dogs off -leash. Staff will post permanent signs in the designated areas. Some Council members have concerns regarding debris left by dogs and others feel the debris is not from off -leash dogs alone. Another concern was the issue of the areas not being fenced -in. Dogs could run out into the street or persons walking by the area may not realize the area is designated for off -leash hours. Staff will continue to research ideas regarding containment or better visibility of designated areas. Schwartz also reported the receipt of about 20 emails to the City regarding the off -leash ordinance. Commissioner La Mariana inquired about the request for the ordinance to include Ray Park that was made by a citizen at a previous meeting. Chairperson Hesselgren responded that the Commission wanted to wait until the Washington & Cuernavaca issue was decided and then address other requests. Commissioner Castner-Paine asked if there had been any incidents during the trial period. Schwartz reported that there were none reported during the trial period. The issue of adding Ray Park to the ordinance will be re -visited in the spring. The Police Department will patrol soon after 7:30 am to enforce the rule. Please call the police if you see any violation. Parks & Recreation Commission September 18, 2008 Minutes — page 2 NEW BUSINESS A. Reauest from Burlingame Girls Softball to Use Rav nark on Sundays for Practices — Director Schwartz reminded the Commissioners that the issue of Burlingame Girls Softball's (BGS) use of Ray Park for practices on Sundays was heard by the Commission last December. The Commission denied BGS' request and staff was able to find time for the girls on Sundays at both BHS and Bayside Park. The item was brought to the Commission again since the district has allocated the BHS softball fields to outside groups for the 2009 season and, for liability purposes, denied BGS the use of the batting cage at BHS. Donna Colson, President of BGS, gave the Commission a brief update on the BGS program. For the 2009 season, BGS had requested 36 hours a week (approximately 10-6 PM for 10 Sundays and a few other pre -season dates) on the JV and Varsity softball diamonds at BHS. (The SMUHSD has determined this is a `B" Class field and will charge us $22.50 per hour, which will result in a cost to BGS of nearly $5,000 for the 2009 season.) BGS is suggesting that the Commission approve the use of Ray Park by BGS for eight Sundays as a practice field and make up game location. This will help to mitigate some of the adverse impact that the SMUHSD user fees have created for the group. Colson explained that the fees for the program have undergone a large increase to cover the SMUHSD costs and other anticipated cost increases. She also noted that the group puts about $5,000 a year into Ray Park in maintenance of buildings, equipment and field improvements. The Commissioners raised several concerns and questions to Ms. Colson. Commissioner Fisher asked if BGS would be using all three fields at Ray on Sundays. Colson responded that only two the fields were skinned. They are requesting to use the two main fields and the grassy area for bunting and warm up activities. Commissioner Shanus stated that last year BGS had use of Bayside and BHS. He mentioned that BGS has worked the two fields together and pointed out that BGS still has Sunday use of Bayside. Colson noted that Bayside is a smaller field (not large enough for their age groups needs) and that the consistency of availability was unreliable as BYBA uses the field on to make up rainout games on Sundays. She stated that if BYBA were willing to give up the use of the field on Sundays completely that would be a possible solution. Commissioner La Mariana recalled that at the December meeting the neighbors complained that coaches were protective of Ray Park as their "turf' and hoped that there has been a culture shift and the coaches are better about not kicking kids off the grass area. Colson commented that the coaches are very genial and she has seen no problems as such. She mentioned that the group has assigned a volunteer to be "Captain of Dog Poo" to clean the park. Shanus asked if the group has used Cuernavaca, as it is more softball friendly. Colson stated that they would prefer Cuernavaca to Bayside however, Mercy High School uses it during the week and BYBA uses it on Sundays. Supervisor Mutto stated that BYBA uses Cuernavaca on Sundays. Parks & Recreation Commission September 18, 2008 Minutes — page 3 Chairperson Hesselgren opened the floor to public comments. Chip Smith, 1557 Balboa Ave. is a neighbor to Ray Park. He has spoken to the Commission over the years regarding issues at the park. He feels that given the changes with SMUHSD there results a difficulty with fewer groups being able to use school district fields. The non-profit groups will be cannibalizing the cities fields. He received an email from a representative from the district that no one has been denied access to district fields, they have chosen to go elsewhere. He has seen the email that Colson received from SMUHSD that belays that comment. He would like to request that other alternatives to Ray Park be kept alive between now and the next meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission before a firm decision is made. Sarah O'Connor, 1556 Balboa Ave. would like to see the Commission support the neighbors. They are impacted all year long by the boys & girls. She looks forward to Sundays, as they are quiet. She would like to see no scheduled activities on Sundays for any groups. She would like the Commission & the Parks & Recreation Department to have control of the coaches and groups. Chairperson Hesselgren closed the session to public comments. Commissioner Shanus inquired as to when the Billie Sue Tournament arrangement vs. Sunday play was made. Schwartz responded that that agreement was made back in the 80's. Shanus noted that one issue with the SMUHSD is the dismissal by the district of all historical agreements that impacts the non-profit groups which have traditionally used the fields. Commissioner La Mariana stated that the situation has changed dramatically. SMUHSD is in a financial crisis and the methodology; the one -side unilateral decisions and a series of directives negate what to what used to be a partnership. He holds no confidence that any steps in this process have been taken to support this partnership. He does not have a problem with why the district is taking these actions but with how the process affects the youth organizations. Under the circumstances, eight Sundays are a reasonable request. Hesselgren asked who else practices at Ray on Sundays. Mutto stated that no groups other than BGS are scheduled on Saturdays or Sundays except a one -hour class given by the Recreation Department on Saturday mornings. Mutto said BGS' request is just for eight Sundays and the Fathers Day weekend tournament. Shanus noted that he would like to see Cuernavaca used more as it is not fully utilized. He would like to explore more on that front. BGS could use a field and allocate Cuernavaca to BGS. Mutto stated that BYBA uses Cuernavaca Park on Sundays for the older age groups. Parks & Recreation Commission September 18, 2008 Minutes — page 4 Hesselgren stated that the issue with the district has become astronomical. She understands the neighbors' stand and voted against the request by BGS last year. She would request a net be installed during batting practice to mitigate the noise. She feels the new BGS leadership is much more accommodating than the previous leadership. She noted that only in the last 12 years has the park gone from one field to three with no increase in parking. She sees no other alternative with the fees and it is important for the girls program to continue. She would like to see the field open with contingencies. Commissioner Carlton reminded the Commissioners that BGS has been told by the SMUSD that they cannot have the fields even though they would pay the fees. MOTION by La Mariana (seconded by Carlton): Because of the change in conditions at the District, Commission approves the use of Ray Park for the 2008- 09 season by BGS for 8 Sundays from 10 am -6 pm with two contingencies: 1) Use of a net on Ray 1 during batting practice, 2) Staff will work with user groups to find space for the least impact on Ray Park. MOTION PASSED 5-1 (Shanus). Shanus stated that his only objection with the motion was that Ray Park should only be used as a last resort. B. Booth for Burlingame Artists at 2009 Art in the Park - Shanus would like to see a booth at the Art in the Park for local Burlingame school kids to display and possibly sell their artwork. The thought is that the Youth Advisory Committee could oversee the booth. Castner-Paine stated that young artists should be encouraged to take themselves seriously. Shanus was unsure of how the selling of the items would work but was willing to discuss ideas. Schwartz mentioned that allocating one booth space for youth artists can be put into this years' Request for Proposal for the vendors. REPORTS/HANDOUTS A. Staff Reports 1. Monthly Report 2. 2008-09 Revenue Report (see attached) B. Commissioners 1. Commissioner Carlton asked what the outcome was on the Burlingame businesses to receive resident rate on recreation activities item. Schwartz replied that the item will be taken before Council at the October 6 meeting. Parks & Recreation Commission September 18, 2008 Minutes — page 5 2. Commissioner Fisher reported that he and Commissioner Carlton attended the Storm Drain Meeting earlier that evening at which the Assistant Director of Public Works did a presentation regarding the Measure on Storm Drain Fee on the ballot in May. Fisher stated that the Assistant Director would be happy to do the presentation for any community organizations. 3. Commissioner Shanus reported that panels that were missing Bayside 3 scoreboard have been replaced. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 7:00 pm in Conference Room "A" of Burlingame City Hall, 501 Primrose Road. There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 9:08 pm. Respectfully submitted, Joleen Butler Administrative Secretary Parks & Recreation Department